KathieB Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Havana Holly mentioned this book regarding sandpaper bricks in another thread, and it came up again when discussing thatched roofs. I want to thatch the Glencroft, so I ordered a copy. I am absolutely delighted with the book. Ms. Armstrong is a recycling guru with a very keen eye for what looks real in 1:12 scale. The book is very well written, with enough information to push the reader off in a good direction without getting tediously technical. For example, her treatise on SLATES (accompanied by two very clear photographs) in the chapter on Roofing says: The easiest method of making imitation slates for dolls' houses is to cut them from cereal boxes. A more effective way is to buy price tag labels -- the ones with the curved end and a hole to hold the string. These can be used either way down according to whether you want a scalloped or plain tile. The scalloped ends make a very effective ridge tile. One thing I like especially is that she describes just what characteristics of a material she feels gives it the "real" look and the characteristics of materials that come close but don't quite make it, very useful when weighing the value of materials at hand. The book is very well illustrated with lots of photographs (nearly all in color). The contents include chapters on Fireplaces and SurroundsWallpaperingDoorsFloor CoveringsStaircasesExteriors RoofingBalconies, Verandahs and Window-boxesGardens -- Hedges, Topiary, Fences and GatesAll-in-all, I'd recommend this book highly both for instruction and inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuttiwebgal Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 and so now you know how to thatch the glencroft? plzzz proceede and SHARE always eager to see different styles on the houses! nutti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share Posted January 9, 2007 and so now you know how to thatch the glencroft? plzzz proceede and SHARE always eager to see different styles on the houses! nutti Of course I'll share! But this isn't going to happen until well into the summer, as I need to gather bags of loose hay first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I LOVE Beryl Armstrong's book! But the absolute & utter queen of recycled mini supplies is Patricia King; I have copies of Making Victorian Dolls' House Furniture, Making Dolls' House Furniture. Dolls' House Fireplaces & Stoves and Dolls' House Bathrooms: Lots of Little Loos. I also like to throw in architectural details (like the "holly" parget I did on the pub), which idea came from Joyce Percival's Architecture for Dolls' Houses. She goes into historical and technical detail of what different features were used when, then how to make or simulate these different effects iin mini. There's a chart with color photos to show which roofing materials were used on what range of pitch (roof angle) as well as bricklaying patterns and also simulating stone & rubble exteriors and half-timbering & the infills used with it. Blackened timbers with white stucco was a late Victorian conceit, the few authentic cottages that survive from the late XVIIIth Century have timbers weathered almost to silver and the stucco/ plaster had a pinkis color because the farmer/ crofter mixed his plaster with blood from slaughtered meat animals (usualy cattle) to make it bond & wear longer. I also like Brian Long's books and I wish I could find more of them in remainder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonsaikathy Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I don't have that particular book but do have another book by Beryl Armstrong. The only caution I'd add is to be careful that what you're using is acid free. If not all that hard work you go through will end up brittle and any paper product it touches will have acid burns. It's the only reason I finally got rid of my daughters doll house I'd built from a simplicity pattern almost 30 years ago. The acidity in the materials used finally just had damaged so many walls in the house that it wasn't worth redoing. I felt it would be better to rebuild. When I built that house, I didn't know anything about acidity in cardboard and paper. Then I started picture framing and learned a good deal about it. It doesn't take all that long for the damage to start either. Fortunately nowadays with scrapbooking so popular, there are all sorts of acid free materials to use. Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uppitycats Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I'll have to watch for all of these... (as if I didn't already have too many books...just not these books!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonsaikathy Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Haha you sound like me. That goes for Bonsai and gardening and landscaping books too. Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Good points about the acidfree sources. I prime or paint the paper/ cardboard/ papermache I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share Posted January 9, 2007 Holly, thanks for the additional titles. I can see a wish list growing here. Thank goodness for Christmas and birthdays, although both Lloyd and I are avid book readers and buyers, so it doesn't often take a special occasion to acquire a new title! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I can see a wish list growing here I have three solid shelvesful of dh DIY books plus almost three more of reference/ inspirational books and I need aonther shelf or two for the ringbound idea and finished project books I make for myself for reference & to show myself houses I've built & no longer have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newt Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 thanks for the book recommendations! i'm an information junkie and this is super. "too many books," uppity ??? surely that's not possible! :thumb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonsaikathy Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 "too many books," uppity ??? surely that's not possible! :lol: Haha, my hubby doesn't agree with you. He hates every time we move because of my books. I've added many bonsai books and mini making since moving to this house. He'll really complain this next time. Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 DH & I used to own a bookstore, so he & I tend to run out of bookshelf space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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